By now, if you are a fan of any of the TV programs done in Vancouver, or even just a fan of TV & movies in general. You have heard or read about the uproar in the filming community of British Columbia over the fact the current Premier of the Province, Christy Clark, has essentially washed her hands of the multi-billion dollar industry & is happily letting it die. More disturbing, she has gone as far as to have facebook comments protesting this decision deleted from her facebook page...by the 100s & maybe even now 1000s.A website devoted to screecapping & cataloguing the deleted posts http://www.ninja12.com/cc/is so long, I couldn't read it all in 1 sitting (and its a read worth reading)An article early this morning by political journalist Bob Mackin http://www.biv.com/article/20130110/BIV0103/130119995caught the eye of many, especially in the industry. The groundswell of anger & frustration from the deleted comments moved into a plan of action, as tweets, tumblr posts and of course a petition were created to demand action from Christy Clark.Currently, the petitionhttp://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/SAVE_BC_FILM/?wgxOzcb(yes, I generally mock online petitions...but it is still a way to make your voice heard) has garnered over 3,500 signatures in about 24 hrs. It's goal is 10000 signatures, and at its current pace, probably will get there by tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest. From the handful of times I stared at names rolling across the screen of recent signees, mostly Canadian, I saw many connected to the B.C. filming industry that I was familiar with lke Callum Keith Rennie, Crystal Lowe, Erica Cerra, Tanya Hubbard and Frank Cassini scrolled down the ticker in the time I watched. I saw a few others, who work behind the scenes, whose names I recognize also pop up. These are not millionaire actors who are griping over losing a couple thousand dollars. These are people making a barely livable wage in this province, and more specifically VANCOUVER, recently called the most expensive city in North America, angry that she wants to eliminate their jobs all together.For every Jensen Ackles, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle or Joshua Jackson making millions annually from the B.C. film industry, theres 100s more who make not much more than you or I, put in far longer hours than you or I (I often talk to crew on set who have put in 16+ hour days...then do it again the very next day) & do not have the luxury to just fly off to Los Angeles, Toronto or New York when things dry up here. They have families, secondary jobs, small businesses (many in the industry have invested heavily into it with businesses HERE that will surely have to close up if the industry continues failing) & responsibilities HERE.Tweets from actors & actresses on the Save B.C. Film Campaign"Primeval New World" actress Crystal Lowehttps://twitter.com/RealCrystalLowe/status/290562419875528704"Eureka" actress Erica Cerra (2 tweets)https://twitter.com/AirikahChaira/status/290526320335659009https://twitter.com/AirikahChaira/status/290615372858654720"Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes" actress Chelah Horsdahlhttps://twitter.com/chelahhorsdal/status/290537138813014017Actor & Producer Kenji Maedahttps://twitter.com/kenjimaeda/status/290557782401376256"Glee" actor Patrick Gallagher https://twitter.com/PatrickGman/status/290579555683561473"Continuum" Actress Jennifer Spencehttps://twitter.com/SpenceJen/status/290581532349964289These arent millionaires, these are all actors you have likely seen on TV or movies, who work a handful of days a month when things are going well, and might work 1 or 2 days, maybe even none, when things are not. Without a film industry in B.C. these people, who have trained to be actors & actresses, who care so much for the industry, would either be unemployed or forced to move out of the Province that they have called home & developed roots in. They are just a fraction of the industry too. There are writers, stunt people, entire crews who build & tear down sets, make up & hair stylists, publicists, casting agencies, location scouts, CGI specialists, artists, prop makers and countless other professions directly tied to this industry....not to mention 100s of other smaller sub-sections of industries that survive because of the addition of the film industry here, such as hotels, drivers, police, medical, fire staff, reporters, and yes, even us lowly autograph hounds. The reality is, there are few large or small industries in Vancouver that arent affected directly or indirectly by filming. The loss of this industry would have a large trickledown effect throughout the entire province.I was so annoyed, I made a tumblr blog post...something I almost never do, because I wanted the message to reach the broadest audience I had available & twitter just doesnt do it in 140 characters.... here was my statement on there...http://canadagraphs1.tumblr.com

"British Columbia Film Industry is responsible for 100s of films & television shows you all know & watch.Whether its the Twilight Saga series, Mission Impossible 4, X-Men films or 100s of tv movies that have been done here, you have surely seen some movie that was made in B.C.If you watch T.V. it has become increasingly harder to avoid great B.C. made television in the past years. No longer is B.C. just known for 21 Jump Street & The X-Files. Award winning shows, top rated Network shows, and great cable shows like Supernatural, Once Upon A Time, Fringe, Psych, Arrow, Falling Skies, The Killing, Smallville, Hellcats, The Vampire Diaries, House, Arctic Air, The Secret Circle, Stargate Universe, Stargate SG1, Stargate Atlantis, Dead Like Me, Sanctuary, Dark Angel, Human Target & many many more have filmed all or part of their shows here.That could all come to an end though. The current premier of B.C. Christy Clark wants the industry to die. She doesnt see it as a money maker. She is willing to let 1000s of actors, writers, artists and behind the scenes personnel become unemployed because she doesnt see an industry thats LITERALLY put BILLIONS into this economy in the past decade as worthy of helping.Currently, there is just SIX productions in B.C. (Arrow, Bates Motel, Supernatural, Once Upon A Time, Motive & Package Deal), with 3 of those ending in the next 6 weeks & only 2 more coming in to replace them, we will be down to FIVE by the end of February. I can not recall a time EVER where there was less than 8 productions here, on average, a "slow" time here is 10-12. Hundreds in the film industry here right now are unemployed because the jobs here are GONE.If you have watched any Vancouver show, at any time, and liked it. Or seen a movie done in Vancouver & liked it. You really should stand behind the people that put these works together for you & sign the petition that will be given to our short sighted premier."

I have posted tweets at Christy several times over the past months of different newspaper articles, tv reports & blog posts about the struggling film industry. NONE of them did she ever everrespond to.Make matters worse, the Premier FOLLOWS me on twitter, and I even contacted her via DM if she wanted to discuss this privately...still no reply to that attempt either. It is blatantly clear, she HATES TV & Movies & wishes they would go to Ontario, Louisiana or California... which has happened in droves over the past couple years.To say the industry needs a massive boost right now is a gross understatement. There is an election May 14th, but what damage will Christy have inflicted by that time? (NOTE- I edited this section.... it previously said 2 yrs till next election. Thanks to those who corrected my inaccuracy). It will consist of shows that were already here before the intentional murder of the industry started and no new, fresh shows will come to open up spots of employment for the 1000s of unemployed people in the industry this Province worked so hard to build through the 80s & 90s.It is hard for me to believe I am saying this, but it is possible Christy Clark is a worse Premier than Gordon Campbell, a man who implemented laws so absurd it nearly financially cripled myself & many others who are in the low income backet. Christy Clark seems to have no business sense. She seems to be oblivious to the fact there is a multi-billion dollar industry in her Province that is slowly moving to places where they WILL give tax breaks. Christy Clark would rather tax it, have it leave, create 1000s of unemployed workers surviving off Unemployment Insurance & Welfare, instead of working in an industry that has made B.C. a desired place for people to visit (tourism $$), relocate to & do business in.If you WANT shows like Supernatural, Once Upon A Time, Arrow or Psych to keep making the quality products they have been making... you need to have your voice heard. Sign the petition, blog about it, tweet about it, comment on Christy Clarks page & make her P.R. team know we wont quietly heed to her tyrranical actions. This is an industry with MONEY, POPULARITY and MANY OUTLETS to have its VOICE heard.My recommendation to Christy Clark... BACK DOWN from your demands to kill the industry before you end up portrayed as an incompetent, addle minded, crazy person character on 1 of the shows.... afterall, they have the power to make it happen. .. and if you keep poking the bear, I am sure 1 or more of them will make it happen.Other articles referring to this campaign that I've seen today...http://www.timescolonist.com/film-tv-gaming-left-out-of-bc-jobs-plan-1.44327- Victoria Times Colonisthttp://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/01/save-bc-film-petition/- Vancitybuzzhttp://vancityfilming.com/save-bc-film/- Vancity Filminghttp://www.facebook.com/GlobalBC/posts/10151322419517808- Global TV story on the noon newshttp://www.globaltvbc.com/video/save+bc+film+campaign/video.html?v=2325159573#stories- Save B.C. Film twitter account (200+ followers already)https://www.facebook.com/savebcfilm?fref=ts- Save B.C. Film Facebook page (already 1200+ likes)http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/savebcfilm

Leave it to the B.C. Liberals to destroy an Industry that has been a boon to the economy for the 40 odd years I worked in it. I seen this Industry grow from a handful of local crew members to more then 10,000 members.
This party is a disgrace and removed from office, I'm glad there will be an election soon, so we can kick out these corporate bums.

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Ken zimmerman

1/13/2013 11:23:54 am

I am disappointed that individuals comments and concerns are being dismissed. The concerns of the movie industry are based on professionals and service industry personal trying to support thier families and remain part of the provinces economy. Individuals need at least to hear what the Governments plan for the future of the movie industry is and how it will support it and or if not, why. Citizens of the province are entitled to answers.

haha haha haha um... no. Stop. Just, stop. Think about your words before you say them because EVERYTHING AROUND YOU IS FILM AND TV AND YOU CANNOT QUIT IT! You have NOTHING to do with it so shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Results come from actions,there is enough information in the media now to confirm The Premieres recklessness
We can not afford to sit idle as our leadership dismantles our well being
There are town hall meetings coming up this month
I encourage industry members to attend,
The survival of "our" industry does not teeter on our incompetent leaders but our strength as one body to act and make a change (This is still a democracy)
Please get involved,spread the word and lets accomplish whats best for us,Cambel's and Clark's
Sustain Hollywood North (BC Film & Television Industry)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/384508594963159/

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LoveVancouver

1/14/2013 01:07:24 am

With love & respect - I just cannot figure out where you guys have been. The economic development platform of this government (also known as the BC Jobs Plan) was launched in September 2011. Almost a year and a half ago. They talked about it endlessly, it made me sick at the time. The film industry was not included in the list of sectors that would get serious attention and investment. I know it's ridiculous to leave this industry out. My question is - WHERE HAS YOUR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION BEEN ALL THIS TIME? Do they not work on your behalf? A mature approach and a solid business case is needed to work these guys - you need some help from someone who knows how to get things done in government. It's not a series of complaints filling up a facebook page. I do hope this can be turned around.

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Sylvia

1/14/2013 01:43:21 am

Very good point, LoveVancouver. In defense of the industry I will say that these people work anywhere from 12 to 16+ hours a day. then they try to have time with their families. You do have a valid point tho. They should hire a lobbyist to work on their behave.

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William Davis

1/14/2013 02:13:50 am

Good article but make sure you have your facts right. Clark only has until May of this year until there is a new election, not two years as stated in this article.

William - yes, I have been corrected on this already. I will make the edit when I have a few minutes this evening. Thanks.

Reply

Justin Dorval

1/14/2013 03:41:26 am

Save the film industry in BC!

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greg

1/14/2013 04:19:37 am

what are the exact number of economic benefits? im hearing billions with no facts or figures to back it up. ten to twelve productions a year, @8.4 million taxes equals less then 100 million revenue for the province. even with 400 people per production, thats only 36,000 people. i have worked on film sets and personally think its around 150-200 max. Your own copy states most people in film industry work part time and for not much money, subsisting on EI or other jobs/businesses. Perhaps the premier took a strictly financial look at the picture and decided money was better spent elsewhere. If every industry played the tax credit game society would have no money for social programs.

ON AVERAGE there is 12-15 productions here AT A TIME... AT... A... TIME.
Over the course of a year, its closer to 70 productions from major motion pictures which generate far FAR above that 8.4M tag to TV movies which make closer to that 8.4M number that got thrown around (which is btw for tv shows) . The fact there is ONLY SIX right now is part of the point being made here.... the industry is dying.

In Toronto last year, they had 1.2 BILLION in tv & film revenue. ONE POINT TWO BILLION. http://www.omdc.on.ca/ENewsletter/December_2012/page2_eng.html At least 1/4 of that came from productions we WOULD have gotten in the past, moving there.... so we GAVE AWAY $300M+, coincidentally... the BC Film Industry went DOWN over $200M last year.

I never said people in the industry only work a few days out of every month... I SAID CURRENTLY they are, because there is no work out there IN THE INDUSTRY because of her refusal to fix the problem. Your reading comprehension skills need a massive upgrade.

How again would the film industry getting larger tax breaks rob us of social programs? I CAN NOT WAIT to hear that debate. You realize ANY percentage of 0 is still 0, right? Where as lifting the taxes on productions means EMPLOYED PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY ON THE ECONOMY.... or you know, stimulating growh, and revenue for the Government thru taxes paid by the workers.

I suggest if you want to come here and debate the logistics of this... come with some facts of your own to debate with. Because I could do this all day.... or didnt you read the novel I posted?

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clint carleton

1/14/2013 05:02:48 am

she just wants to rape our resources and sell our province to the highest bidders.. She is just another pawn in the bigger game of corporate tak over.. Lets not be fooled by this anymore. turn off your main stream media and get real. Its time for a true Rising of the voice of the people.. This is our Land and we need to stand united to protect our future and the future for our children, or we will all be left to work for scraps for the corporate agenda.. Dont believe it... well... you will!!!

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William

1/14/2013 06:29:02 am

Who are you? I worry about your facts if you didn't know an election was coming. But we give our names. You are canadagraph?

William
I am the 1 and only admin/mod/writer to this site. Many in the industry are familiar with who I am, and MOST know me as "Canadagraphs". Only a handful of them know be by my given name.

At no time did you have to give your full given name here...including this very post Many dont, they simply give a 1st name, a screen name or simply a random 1. I dont demand authentication of you, anymore than you should demand it of me. While I do have some priveleges that come with running the site, I dont post any of that information here..

As for the election... I was going off the fact the most elections for Premier are FOUR years apart, I dont follow politics on a day to day basis. I assure you I could randomly grab 50 people off the street & MAYBE 10 of them could tell you 1 was coming soon. Doubtful if 5 could tell you the month, let alone the date. The revision to that point was made. Feel free to fact check anything else in the post.

Since you seem to have issues with something here, if you want, I can email you in private the answers to any questions you have on my information, credentials or even my name... if that is a legitimate concern to you.

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Dave

1/14/2013 08:10:26 am

We hired here! Let's get rid of her!

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John F

1/14/2013 12:14:57 pm

I spent thousands of dollars in schooling to develop my skills as a sound designer for the film and video game industries. To this day i'm in debt up to my eye balls to this government. My chances of following my goals in this province are scarce with the Liberals in power. I'm not working in my field right now, and I can barely make my student loan payments. The government is also garnishing my wages to pay my student loan. While the Liberal party spends millions of our tax dollars on promotional commercials to help them stay in power, they garnish my wages? This seems so wrong and chills me to the bone. She has no right! She needs to go! NOW!

I am dependent on this film industry. It is really hard to find a decent job in Vancouver. With this growing cost of living in Vancouver we cannot afford to loose a big chunk of revenue by loosing film contracts. Please make this competitive.

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